Labor of love: Renning adjusts to law changes

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Tony Renning has seen many changes in the past five years.

The passage of Act 10 kept the attorney with Strang, Patteson, Renning, Lewis & Lacy SC in Oshkosh on his toes. He had to rethink nearly all the work he did with public unions.

“There’s not as many differences between the public and private sector anymore when it comes to employment law,” Renning said. “What we used to call ‘labor issues’ are now ‘employment issues’ and are based on policies and handbooks – not what is in a contract.”

After Act 10 was passed in 2011, Renning helped public entities write their policies and handbooks. Now, he said those working in the public sector are adjusting to the new way of doing things.

Renning also works with businesses in the private sector and said the human element unites the two.

“The most challenging part of my job is dealing with the human dynamic,” he said. “The phone rings and you have to deal with a new issue. Losing a job can be very traumatic and you want to work with an employer to get the decision right and communicate it to the employee.”

In addition to contract negotiations, Renning also handles cases involving wages and hours, leaves of absence, discrimination, harassment and union certification and decertification.

“The goal is to avoid conflict and ending up in court,” he said.

Renning’s favorite part of his job is working with clients on getting out ahead of potential problems.

“Documentation is so important in employee law and having policies in place. The best part of the job is when you have an employer thank you for your efforts,” he said.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What was your favorite class in law school?
Tony Renning: Contracts.

WLJ: What activity could you spend hours doing outside of work?
Renning: Playing with my wife, Lori; and children, Brogan, 7, and Addison, 5.

WLJ: What song gets heavy rotation on your iPod?
Renning: ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry

WLJ: What was the last book that you read?
Renning: ‘Unbroken’

WLJ: Who is someone you admire?
Renning: My father. One of these days I am going to know as much as he does.

WLJ: What is your most prized possession?
Renning: My sports memorabilia collection.

WLJ: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Renning: Lake Tahoe

WLJ: What is your favorite sport to play and/or watch?
Renning: Basketball – go Hoosiers!

WLJ: Do you have a word or phrase that you tend to overuse?
Renning: ‘Let’s go already.’

WLJ: What is your favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?
Renning: Cheer on the Packers.